Dell likely to chose Ubuntu

The IT press seems certain that Dell will release its first desktop and laptop Linux products based around the Ubuntu distribution.

While Dell has not made an official announcement, various IT magazines quote sources within the company as claiming that Ubuntu has been selected. Apparently Dell will start preinstalling the newly released Ubuntu 7.04 in late May.

Ubuntu will be released on a Dell e-series "Essential" Dimension desktop, an XPS desktop, and an e-series Inspiron laptop. The e-series systems will be sold for $408 without a monitor and will come with 512MB of RAM and a 160GB SATA hard drive.

Ubuntu will be seen on the three e-series Inspiron notebooks with prices ranging from $899 to $1,149, the sources said.